Explorer Spotlight: Jacob Sells

I'm a full time student at Virginia Tech studying Engineering but I have a part-time job on the weekends working as a bouncer at a bar downtown.

What are your favorite things to do outside?

My favorite thing to do outside is simply spending time with friends, especially those who don't get out often. I love seeing their reactions to how much fun they actually have, when they weren't big outdoorsy people in the first place.

What first drew you to the outdoors?

My love for the outdoors started early from getting involved in cub scouts in elementary school.

Favorite hometown adventure is visiting Oakley Corner's state forest. It's a quaint little place that only the locals know about but they have all that is necessary to escape from life for some time.

What’s your essential gear that never gets left at home?

Camera, GoPro, Hammock, and usually my fly rod.

What’s your favorite trail snack?

Definitely just good old fashioned trail mix, M&M's are a must!

Any go-to soundtracks when you’re hitting the road?

Country for sure.

What’s the scariest thing that’s ever happened while you were adventuring? And/ or funniest?

Taking advice from a local in Utah climbing Mt. Timpanogos, I took a game trail back to where I was parked to get there before sunset, ended up taking a wrong trail down the other side of the mountain and had to hitch-hike back to my car! On the plus side I did see a family of moose which was pretty sweet.

Who’s your number one adventure partner-in-crime? Who inspires you?

Trev Lee has always been my inspiration, such a humble dude and takes great shots, give him a follow on ig: @trevlee

What's on the top of your must-do adventure list right now?

Engineering school puts a big damper on my adventures during the year, but I'm planning a PNW & Banff trip for this upcoming 2017 summer! Super pumped!

Show us your most memorable photo, and tell us about it!

This was one of my most recent adventures near Virginia Tech which is nice to come to, to get away from it all every so often. It's only 0.5 mile hike to a awesome place where you can normally catch the sunset, Bald Knob. On this particular day I came up with some friends and we were bummed to find out it was super foggy and cloudy up top. I've been recently trying to appreciate the uniqueness in all environments I end up at, no matter the season or weather. So we ended up with some awesome shots, near a rocky outcrop, showing off the layers of trees and fog, and glad I came out! This adventure can also be found on The Outbound's website as a published adventure: "Hike to Bald Knob".

And last but not least…What’s your personal motto?

"Be Prepared" Quoted straight from boy scouts but it's never been more true being out there.

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!